The Nigeria police force has recorded yet another milestone, as they arrest have arrested the arms supplier to billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Owuamadike, alias Evans.
Godwin, the suspect, was alleged to have sold most of the firearms, ammunition and rocket launchers used by Evans during his reign as a kidnapper. He was arrested by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
This was disclosed by an operative of IRT, who spoke in anonymity.
According to him, Evans had in many occasions, confessed that some of the rocket launchers and Ak-47 rifles, used by members of his gang in blowing up bank security doors and bullion vans, during robbery and kidnapping operations, were all supplied to him by one Godwin.
More so, he added that Godwin had serious contacts with arms dealers in Chad and Niger Republic.
The sources said that following the confession of Evans, the IGP ordered operatives of the IRT to launch a manhunt for Godwin.
He said for many years after, Godwin became elusive and went into hiding and later resurfaced, thinking that since Evans’ case had gone to the court, police operatives hunting for him would have relaxed their effort.
He was therefore tracked to Asaba Delta State, where he was apprehended.
Godwin in an interview in IRT cell, told our correspondent that he sold only five Ak-47 rifles to Evans. “I only sold five AK 47 rifles to Evans.
“I started selling firearms in 1990. I learnt how to make locally-made guns from my boss. He was killed by security operatives for gun-running. I spent three years learning the job making gun, before I started making my own.
“I have several customers coming to buy guns in large quantities. I usually sold- locally made double barrel guns for N10,000 and single barrel for N6,000, while the locally-made short guns were sold for N10,000.
“One of my customers who was coming from Kaduna State to buy guns from me, was the person who linked me to big arms dealers in Chad and Niger Republic. They were the people who supplied me the five Ak-47 rifles I sold to Evans which he used for his bank robbery and kidnapping businesses.
“I met Evans when he came to my village to treat his bullet wound and his native doctor, linked him to me. I knew he was using the guns for armed robbery and kidnapping.
“Evans paid me N1.7million for the five Ak47 rifles. The riffles were supplied to me from Chad. The rifles were concealed in bags of fish and I took my commissions and gave the rest of the money to the supplier. It was he that supplied the rocket launchers to Evans and not me.
“Before Evans was arrested, I had stopped gun running. I went into hiding when I heard that Evans was arrested, because I knew he was going to mention my name to the police.
“After some years, I decided to come out from hiding not knowing that the police were still looking for me.
“I swear, I had warned Evans to stop kidnapping, but he wouldn’t listen. See the problem that I’m facing now,” he lamented.
Recall that, Evans was arrested in June 2017 in his mansion at Magodo, Lagos State, by the IRT, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
He is currently standing trial at the Lagos State High Courts of Igbosere and Ikeja.
